(Photo by Travis Pittman)

The International Cricket Council have awarded Hong Kong hosting rights of the ICC 2016 Women’s World Cup Qualifier - Asia, which will be held in October this year.

In a decision that affirms Hong Kong’s current standing in global cricket, the event will run from the 9^th-15^th of October at the Tin Kwong Recreation Ground in Mong Kok.

China, Nepal and Thailand will join Hong Kong in a round-robin format, with a place in the global qualifying tournament guaranteed for the top ranked team.

“The ICC 2016 Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia is an exciting opportunity for the top Women’s teams in Asia,” ICC Development and Programs Manager Andy Hobbs said.

“The winner of this event will progress to the ICC 2017 Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier and have the opportunity to play against some of the top Women’s teams in the world and of course the chance to make it to the very pinnacle of Women’s Cricket at the world cup itself”.

The decision to award Hong Kong rights to host the tournament is yet another major landmark for 2016. Already this year Hong Kong has hosted its first ever One Day International, appeared in the ICC World Twenty20 and launched a new franchise event, the DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz.

“We are thankful to the ICC for electing us to host the first ever Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia,” CEO Tim Cutler said.

“We will be working closely with the government to ensure Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground is at the best standard it can be for this international event.”

“Our ladies are the pride of our indigenous development programmes with over half of the squad being of Hong Kong Chinese extraction.”

“Witnessing the success of "big sister" China is particularly pleasing, however the HK v China matches are sure be the highlight for many.”

“Such a diverse range of cultures that make up our community and with a particularly large, proud, Nepalese community we expect to welcome some great crowds into the grounds over the course of the tournament.”

國際板球理事會宣布將「2016女子板球世界盃－亞洲區外圍賽」之主辦權授予香港，賽事將於今年10月9至15日假天光道板球場舉行。

中國、尼泊爾、泰國及主隊香港將會進行單循環賽事，榜首球隊將會晉身世界盃國際外圍賽。

國際板球理事會發展及項目經理Andy Hobbs指出：「此賽事對亞洲頂尖女子板球隊是一個令人興奮的機會。賽事冠軍將會晉級到2017年舉行的『女子板球世界盃－國際外圍賽』，可以面對多支世界頂級球隊，繼而爭取晉身女子板球世界盃。」

今年香港已經成功舉辦本地首個一日制國際賽、參與「20回合制國際賽」，以及首次舉辦聯盟制賽事「DTC香港快閃板球賽」，「2016女子板球世界盃－亞洲區外圍賽」將會是香港板球另一個里程碑。

香港板球總會行政總裁葛添（Tim Cutler）表示：「我們感謝國際板球理事會選擇香港作為首屆女子世界盃亞洲外圍賽的主辦地。我們會與政府緊密合作，將天光道板球場提升至最佳狀態，以迎接這個國際賽事。」

「香港女子板球隊是本地板球發展計劃的成果，超過一半球員均是本地華裔球員。中國隊近年成績不俗，香港面對中國的比賽將會是賽事焦點之一。」

「香港社區擁有多元文化，尤其有龐大而自豪的尼泊爾社群，相信賽事將會吸引很多不同背景的香港居民前來觀戰。」